Mossley returned to winning ways with a comfortable if a little unconvincing victory over bottom of the table New Mills at Seel Park on Tuesday evening.

The struggling Millers never at any point looked like they may take something from the game but held firm defensively in a first half which saw the teams separated by only a single goal.

There was only one change from the side that drew at Ossett Town on Saturday with Halifax Town loanee Jack Bradley replacing the injured Michael Thomas.

Mossley created early openings as a couple of useful crosses from both wings showed the visitors to be a fragile at the back but the Lilywhites lacked bodies in the box.

The Lilywhites took the lead in the 11th minute when Tom Pratt was sent tumbling in the box by a clumsy challenge and last season’s top marksman Pratt took the responsibility for the resultant spot kick and hammered the ball into the top corner giving Millers keeper Oliver Martin no chance.

The Mossley fans no doubt expected a goal avalanche after that, but it didn’t materialise, as Lilywhites attacks broke down around the edge of the Millers box.

Kyle McGonigle went close when his typically thunderous free kick flew inches wide and Sam Robinson must have expected to score when he raced through and lifted the ball over keeper Martin only to be denied by an excellent last ditch tackle by Jake Williams.

Mossley huffed and puffed through the early stages of the second period but the game was pretty much put to bed just after the hour mark.

Scott Kay was fouled just outside the box. The former Southport midfielder took the free kick and hit a neat curling set piece into the far corner beyond Martin’s reach.

The third and final goal of a largely disappointing game came on 66 minutes when Andy Keogh flighted an incisive pass to the far post where Tom Pratt lost his marker to steal in and fire past Martin from close range

New Mills to their credit tried hard to get at least a goal for their troubles and ex Mossley man Ryan Hopper fired over when well placed while Liam Flynn did well to block Tunde Owolabi’s effort, but the result was already sealed long before then and despite plenty of probing Mossley failed to add to the score.

However, a win is a win and puts an end to what has been a disappointing recent sequence of results.

Wiz

Smiffy pics

Tom Pratt scores Mossley's third goal.